Board game

Abstract

The invention comprises new and unique apparatus for a game, the apparatus generally comprising a game board having concentric ring paths which intersect with radial paths. Each radial path is marked with a symbol and each concentric ring is marked with another symbol such that each playing position is identified by marking reference to the path symbol pieces are each marked with the same designation such that each playing piece corresponds to a playing position. To start play each player randomly takes out twenty pieces from a mixing bag. These pieces are then placed on the corresponding playing positions as designated by their marking reference. The players, in turn, then move their playing pieces towards the designated finishing spaces near the center of the board which have been removed from the playing area, and a means for mixing the playing pieces together.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. Apparatus for a board game, the apparatus comprising: a board which is marked with a pattern for maneuver, said maneuver pattern further comprising three or more concentric rings, the innermost of which is marked at regular intervals with four or more points around its circumference and one or more of the other said concentric rings being connected by a marked circular path;   three diverging paths extending radially out from each said innermost ring point such that one said diverging path extends directly out along the radius of said concentric rings from each said innermost ring point through the other said concentric rings with the other two surrounding diverging paths extending out from each said innermost ring point to one or more other said concentric rings in curved or oblique paths and such that each said curved or oblique path joins with the said curved or oblique path from an adjacent said innermost ring point at another said concentric ring and from said other concentric ring merge together and terminate or alternatively form a common path which extends generally radially outward from said other concentric ring through at least one said surrounding concentric ring;   said innermost ring points being marked in one way and each said point at which any said diverging path intersects a said concentric ring being marked another way;   each said diverging path being marked or labeled with a symbol and each said concentric ring being marked or labeled with another symbol such that each said point of intersection of a diverging path and a concentric ring can be identified by marking reference to the said path symbol and the said concentric ring symbol;   at least one playing piece for each said point of intersection, each said playing piece being marked with the same designation as each said corresponding point of intersection designation and each said playing piece further adapted to rest upon any said point of intersection or any said innermost ring point in a manner so as to display either one color or another color, each said playing piece further being adapted with the same two colors on said ends;   two additional said playing pieces which are of any color and unlabeled and are further adapted to rest upon any said point of intersection or any said innermost ring point; and   a containing and mixing chamber into which each said marked playing piece may be enclosed and thoroughly mixed together and from which said mixed marked playing pieces may be randomly distributed.   
     
     
       2. The invention described in claim 1 which is further adapted with four storage means upon said game board such that one or more playing pieces may be stored therein, and that each of two opposite sides of said board has two said storage areas which are identical in size to the two said storage areas on the opposite said side. 
     
     
       3. The invention described in claim 1 in which said containing and mixing vessel is an opaque bag which is further adapted with a mounting means, said mounting means comprising a loop member attached to the mouth of said opaque bag leaving an opening large enough to accomodate a person's hand grasping at least one playing piece; said loop member being further adapted with a handle, said handle being rigidly attached to and extending outwardly from said loop member.   
     
     
       4. The invention described in claim 2 in which said containing and mixing vessel is an opaque bag which is further adapted with a mounting means, said mounting means comprising a loop member attached to the mouth of said opaque bag leaving an opening large enough to accomodate a person's hand grasping at least one playing piece; said loop member being further adapted with a handle, said handle being rigidly attached to and extending outwardly from said loop member.   
     
     
       5. A board for a game and related apparatus, said game apparatus comprising; a generally square-shaped and planar surface, said planar surface having a maneuver area near its center, said maneuver area comprising two or more concentric circles, the inner said concentric circle being marked abouts its circumference at regular intervals with a series of points, said points forming the appex of equal numbered series of U-shaped paths, each U-shaped path generally extending out from said appex points and crossing the remaining said concentric circles;   the said points at which the U-shaped paths cross each said concentric circle being marked as playing positions, each such U-shaped path sharing a common side with each adjacent U-shaped path, each said U-shaped path being bisected with a straight line extending from said appex point out through said concentric circles through the middle of the area enclosed by each U-shaped path, the points at which each such bisecting line intersects with each said concentric circle also being marked as a playing position;   said game board being adapted with two slotted areas on each of two opposite sides of said maneuver area, each said slotted area on each side being adapted to hold a certain number of playing pieces laid on its side such that the two slotted areas on each opposite side of the game board are identical in size to the slotted areas on the other side;   said game apparatus further comprising a number of playing pieces at least equal to the overall number of playing positions less the apex positions;   each said diverging path being marked or labeled with a symbol and each said concentric ring being marked or labeled with another symbol such that each said playing position of a diverging path and a concentric ring can be identified by a marking reference to the said path symbol and the said concentric ring symbol;   at least one playing piece for each said point of intersection, each said playing piece being marked with the same designation as each said corresponding point of intersection designation, each said playing piece being generally of an elongated geometrical configuration such that said playing piece may be laid on its side in any of the said slotted areas, each said playing piece further having two generally planar and parallel ends, which are generally perpendicular to the length of said elongated piece each said end being colored such that the opposite ends of each piece will have different colors and all playing pieces will have one end painted one same color and all playing pieces will have the other end being painted a same other color; and   said game apparatus further comprising a container which is large enough for all said playing pieces to be contained within it at the same time, said container further being adapted to permit the playing pieces to be thoroughly mixed together so that playing pieces can be drawn by hand through an opening to said container area.   
     
     
       6. The invention described in claim 5 wherein in the number of U-shaped paths is at least four, the number of concentric rings is at least 3 and the number of playing pieces is at least 16. 
     
     
       7. The invention described in claim 5 in which the number of U-shaped paths is five and the number of playing pieces is at least 24. 
     
     
       8. The invention described in claim 5 in which the number of U-shaped paths is eight, the number of concentric rings is at least three and the number of playing pieces is at least forty-eight.